GENDER ROLES IN AFRICAN CULTURE: IMPLICATIONS TO SOCIOLOGISTS OF EDUCATION

Abstract

The study investigated gender roles in African culture. Two research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consist women in Africa with a total of 726767255. A sample of 600 women was involved in the study. The sample was composed using the multistage sampling and simple random sampling technique.  Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was duly validated and its internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha. Mean was used to analyze the data collected. Results revealed thatwomen were meant to stay at home, cook and take care of their children. They only cultivate crops like cocoa yam, cassava vegetables that have no economic value and they were neither seen nor heard among others.  Presently, the findings of the study also showed that there are more educated women participating in politics presently than in the past. There had been and presently female heads of state and educated females contribute to the economic development of their nations; they are self-dependent, actively involved in the field of science and technology. It was concluded that women suffered in the past but the introduction of educationbrought about the needed change. Thanks to education of women that served as an eye opener to them.  Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that all cultural barriers that restrict women from participating in societal development should be abolished.